§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which constabularies operate quotas for the minimum number of people fined for traffic offences; and if he will make a statement. [116461]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthNo constabulary operates such quotas. When a motorist is detected committing an offence the police must decide according to the circumstances of each particular case whether to offer a fixed penalty. If a fixed penalty is not offered, it will be for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide on prosecution and if there is a prosecution for the court to decide on conviction and any consequent fine.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists were issued with fixed penalty notices by each constabulary in England and Wales in(a) 1997 and (b) 2002. [116462]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthInformation for 1997 and 2001 (latest available) can be found in Tables 20(a), (b) and (c) of the annual Home Office publication, Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales: supplementary tables. Copies are in the Library. 2002 data will be available in the autumn.